Chapel services will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton located at 12300 Reina Rd. in Bakersfield for Raymond Schill, who passed away June 7, 2016. Ray Schill was born May 9, 1923 in Auburndale, WI to Nick and Emma Schill. Ray was raised on a farm in Wisconsin where he attended school and learned the family trade that would later shape much of his life, farming. After completing 8th grade, Ray was faced with dropping out of school to help support his family. At the tender age of 18, Raymond enlisted in the United States Navy and bravely served our country in World War II. Following the war, Ray returned to Wisconsin and later traveled to Oakland, CA where he met the love of his life, Myrtle Costa. The two were married on December 1, 1945 in Reno, NV. The following year they moved back to Milwaukee, WI. Then, in 1951, Raymond and Myrtle moved to Walnut Creek, CA, where they lived until 1955. It was that year when they moved to their beautiful and beloved city of Shafter, where they would go on to raise their family and live out their lives together. It was there that Ray began implementing the skills and knowledge developed throughout his childhood on the farm. Driven by a work ethic that was second to none, Ray worked his way from sweeping the floors at Kellogg's Seeds and Northrup King to eventually joining the management team at Northrup King. Then, in 1990, Ray decided it was time to work for himself and opened his own business, R.S. Seeds Incorporated. Shortly after opening this business, Ray built a new facility in Shafter and was soon honored as Shafter's Businessman of the Year. Through Ray and Myrtle's hard work and success they were able to dedicate their lives to providing a solid foundation for their family and its future generations. Ray utilized the family business as a springboard to help support the education and launch the careers of his grandchildren. Although Ray's strong work ethic often led to Ray working during vacation time, he and Myrtle still made time for several hobbies. He loved gardening and took great pride in sculpting the yard at his two homes in Shafter. To this day, you won't find a sweeter orange than those that are plucked from the tree at his Pine St. home. Ray also enjoyed playing baseball when he was younger and passed that love of the game on to his grandchildren. Many great memories from Dodger games are carried among his grandsons. In spite of his busy schedule, Ray and Myrtle enjoyed taking trips and spending time with family. Their home was usually the center of family get-togethers, especially on holidays. On February 20, 2010, Ray lost his soulmate when Myrtle passed away. He carried on with life and did his very best to remain positive and jovial, singing karaoke and spending time with family, but it was apparent that an enormous piece of Ray's heart was missing. Ray continued his journey for over six more years, waiting for the day that he could be joined once again with Myrtle. So, today we grieve, but we also celebrate his many accomplishments and the fact that Ray's heart is whole once again. He will be remembered as a caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; a terrific brother, and a loyal friend to all who had the unique pleasure of knowing Ray. His love of life and constant humor touched the lives of so many, and his loss will be felt deeply by each of us. Ray was preceded in death by his father, Nick, mother, Emma, sisters, Celia, Helen, Viola, Marie, Margaret, brothers, Dwayne, Leo, Eddie, Clarence, and Jimmy and great-granddaughters, Sophia and Ellie Hutchison. He is survived by his daughters: Jane Hall and husband, Allan; and Joan Hutchison and husband, Freddie; son, Raymond Schill and wife, Diana; grandsons: Terry Hall and wife, Denise; Freddie Hutchison and wife, Tina; Jason Hutchison and wife, Shelli; and Robert Schill and wife Mandy; granddaughters: Janie Hutchison, Jennifer Hall, Marlene Hall and husband Ben, and Michelle Schill; great grandchildren: Andrew Hall, Brady Hutchison, Makaela Hutchison, Trey Kelly, Emma Hutchison, Hailey Hutchison, Jack Hutchison, Teryn Kelly,Gretchen Hall, GiGi Hutchison, Paige Hutchison, and Hunter Hall, Luke Hutchison, Alex Georgopoulos, and Nicholas Georgopoulos. Also, his sister, Dolores Thomas. After suffering the loss of your sweetheart in 2010, you showed enormous strength and character, as you continued to make the most of life for the next six years. Your perseverance allowed each of us to share many cherished moments with you, and we will carry those memories with us for the rest of our lives. The fire you couldn't put out burns brighter than ever as you and Myrtle are together once again, for eternity. On June, 7, 2016 you left us, and another Angel entered Heaven. Words simply cannot express what you mean to each of us, and we love you so much! A visitation will be held on Tuesday June 14, 2016 from 2-8pm with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7pm. Funeral Mass will be officiated by Msgr. Ronald Swett at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Wednesday June 15, 2016 at 10am.